Hockey

Canada: Field Hockey Canada Announces Women’s National Team for the Indoor Pan American Cup

February 22, 2024

Experienced Team Canada ready to take on competition in Calgary

Field Hockey Canada is excited to announce the roster for the Canadian Indoor Women’s National Team set to compete on home turf at the upcoming Indoor Pan American Cup in Calgary, Alberta.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from March 19-22, 2024 at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre. The Canadian lineup showcases a strong squad comprising 10 field players, 2 goalkeepers, and four reserves.

In preparation for the Indoor Pan American Cup, the team went on a training tour to Prague in February. The international test matches saw them face off against top club programs and the Czech National team. Head coach Shankar Premakanthan emphasized the significance of the Prague tour, stating that it played a pivotal role in integrating new athletes into the team environment and providing quality international exposure.

The roster features a mix of seasoned players who contributed to the success of the 2023 World Cup campaign and fresh faces eager to make their mark. Among the returning athletes are Alison Lee, Kat Leahy, Rowan Harris, Prava Sandhu, Elise Wong, and Natalie Winter, bringing their invaluable experience to the team.

Adding a new layer of talent and energy, the team welcomes Emily Ziraldo, who makes the leap from reserve to the main squad. Joining her are newcomers Rebecca Carvalho, Olivia Friedberg, Morgan Hanley, Alana Raymond, and Camilla MacGillivray, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to the team.

“It’s exciting every year to work with the returning athletes and the new talent. It makes each year have a new feeling and new energy. It’s always great to build the chemistry with a new group and we have a lot of that this year,” said Premakanthan. “We said goodbye to a few athletes after the world cup, but we have brought in some new recruits and it’s been great to see some growth of some returning athletes.”

A notable highlight is the inclusion of Calgary native, Cam McGillivray, one of the team’s goalkeepers, who will have the privilege of playing in front of a hometown crowd, surrounded by friends and family. McGillivray’s presence adds a special connection to the event and is sure to enhance the team’s spirit as they strive for success.

TEAM CANADA ROSTER

ATHLETE	HOMETOWN
Rebecca Carvalho	Brampton, ON
Olivia Friedberg	Old Greenwich, CT
Morgan Hanley	Elmira, ON
Rowan Harris	Ottawa, ON
Kathleen Leahy	Victoria, BC
Alison Lee	Toronto, ON
Camilla MacGillivray	Calgary, AB
Alana Raymond	Waterloo, ON
Prava Sandhu	Vancouver, BC
Natalie Winter	Coquitlam, BC
Elise Wong	Lake Forest, IL
Emily Ziraldo	Toronto, ON

RESERVES
Paramdeep Gill	Brampton, ON
McKinley Kennedy	North Vancouver, BC
Annika Kleinschmidth	Hamburg, GER
Harnoor Malhi	Toronto, ON

COACHING STAFF
Head Coach – Shankar Premakanthan	Ottawa, ON
Assistant Coach – Cassius Mendonca	Brampton, ON
Team Manager – Sherry Doiron	Kitchener, ON
Athletic Therapist – Marcus Leal	Toronto, ON

Premakanthan said that for him, there’s lots of pride in how the program has grown over the past 5-10 years into a truly quality international side. He said the team will be ready to take on any challenger in Calgary.

“There’s a lot of excitement looking towards the event. One of the biggest things I take pride in is seeing the team grow over the years,” he said. Premakanthan has coached in the indoor program for over 6 years. “Our program has grown so much. It’s amazing to see the level of athletes that we have at every position. We are excited to keep growing and reaching new levels each year.”

Field Hockey Canada is excited to host the event in collaboration with the Pan American Hockey Federation and Field Hockey Alberta. Hosting the Indoor Pan American Cup in Calgary serves as a catalyst for fostering excitement and interest in field hockey, not only within the local community but throughout Alberta and Canada. The event not only promises thrilling matches but also provides a pathway for aspiring youth and junior players to witness international hockey firsthand, inspiring the next generation of field hockey enthusiasts.

The top finishing team in the Women’s division will punch their ticket to the 2025 Indoor World Cup. Full schedule and team list will be released shortly.

The 2024 Indoor Pan American Cup will be held in Calgary, AB, from March 17-22, 2024. The last time Canada hosted the Indoor Pan American Championships was in 2005 in Waterloo, Ontario. Since then, the event has taken place in Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Guyana, and in 2021, the event was held in Pennsylvania, USA.